Windshield cracked - third time?? Morphed into Chassis and Body shifting questions…..Gaps and issues.

[Les Hurdle]

5 hours ago, 96 EVO said:

"Coast Glass" or "Coach Glass"?

I know RV Glass Solutions put their sticker on mine, but I can't recall if it said 'Coach Glass'. I'll look tomorrow.

Also, a friend had one of his two piece windshield panes replaced at the RV Glass Solutions location in AZ, and wasn't happy with the job, so, some locations, some replacements, may go better than others!

I'm wondering how difficult can it be to replace a window?

[Dr4Film]

https://rvglassexperts.com/

Video showing some aspects of installation.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdutgx

 

Edited November 24, 2023 by Dr4Film

[Guest Ray Davis]

On 11/23/2023 at 6:34 AM, Les Hurdle said:

ok thanks.  In my area 'Buster' is out glass man....... he did my Southwind and it seems ok.......... anything special about Monaco's?

 

I think there may be something special about some Monacos.  There does seem to be a flaw in the windshield area.  I hate to admit that because I love my Monaco. Everything has flaws, unfortunately winshields are right up front & hard to ignored.   This flaw/weakness that some coaches seem to have is why a glass shop that is familiar with Monacos and what can be done differently to work around those problems is needed.   I believe that  http://www.desertsunrvglass.com/  is a guy that understands what is going on with our Monacos and how to remedy some of the issues.   His web site says he does training so he might be willing to coach another installer by phone or email, I don't know.   He did tell me he travels if someone is willing to pay,  in fact he and his helper had traveled recently to Florida to install a windshield.  Someone was convinced he was the man.   Read his web site,  his claims sound pretty good.

 

[Les Hurdle]

Hi. I just watched a video and was astonished to see a windshield installer wiping new shield in a circular motion.......   bahhhhhhh.   ONLY up and down.   Those of us who fly know to clean windshields vertically so any scratches you have there is less chance of 'catching' unwanted sunlight rays.   Someone wrote about Loving Monaco's. I'm new to such aND really like mine but reading these forums makes me wonder sometimes, why are they SO 'problem prone'?

So far no one has come up with an idea for my 'split body' issue........  I'll find out and let ya'LL know. 

 

 

[Bill R]

50 minutes ago, Les Hurdle said:

So far no one has come up with an idea for my 'split body' issue........  I'll find out and let ya'LL know. 

Les - have you done an inspection of the chassis under the coach to see if you can identify any broken or cracked support members.  Or anything that doesn't look right?

[Les Hurdle]

Hi Bill,

 

Not yet.......... I only noticed a day or so before I left for overseas... I'm in the UK.

Will find a way to look when I get back............ I drove it about 200 miles as is and it seemed ok.

[Tom Cherry]

4 hours ago, Les Hurdle said:

Hi. I just watched a video and was astonished to see a windshield installer wiping new shield in a circular motion.......   bahhhhhhh.   ONLY up and down.   Those of us who fly know to clean windshields vertically so any scratches you have there is less chance of 'catching' unwanted sunlight rays.   Someone wrote about Loving Monaco's. I'm new to such aND really like mine but reading these forums makes me wonder sometimes, why are they SO 'problem prone'?

So far no one has come up with an idea for my 'split body' issue........  I'll find out and let ya'LL know. 

 

 

Les, Simply….  Time to do some homework and inspection.

YES, Monaco, as well as others, have had issues with some models not having a good lower frame or support for the windshield.  There were some models that were really prone to shifting or body “shimming” and folks have had issues.  The EXPERT installers have leaned to inspect and know what to look for and they sometimes have a body shop or a boat repair place reinforce or rebuild the lower supports to improve the situation and prevent the shifting.

OK, put it this way.  I LOVE my Personal Physician and neighbor….and he has been a vital part of my health for 25 odd years.  He is my “BUSTER”….he knows a lot.  But, when I needed my prostate removed, I found a specialist with a 4 robotic arm setup and a super doctor with hands that “The Pinball Wizard” would envy.  Buster may be a whiz at Southwinds or Winnies or the less “troublesome” Monaco’s.  But, you may need a real expert.  Hope that makes sense.  

Nest up.  Drive away from the mountains.  Get on some flat and level roads.  Find rest stops or diesel truck stops with level pavement.  Pull in.  Get out.  Watch s video on measuring the distance between the bottom and top plates that the air bags ride in.  If you pull into a parking spot…go straight for a while.  Get out.  Measure every corner.  That will be your travel height.  The front’s should be the same…..same for the rears.  

NOW, one assumes that many members are aware of the recalled trailing arm issues.  If not….

https://community.fmca.com/topic/569-important-safety-issue-monaco-hr-safari-chassis/

about 2/3 down there is an IRV2 link that goes into details.  CLICk ONNTHE LINK AND READ IT CAREFULLY. .I have NO insight as to if the sudden “OMG….what is happening” issues in the rear and a failing trailing arm would contribute.  But, FWIW, if you aren’t up to speed on the suspension and the fact that there was a recall, you, for safety’s sake, need to be.  The recall was Monaco funded.  Once Monaco went into bankruptcy…..that liability died.  Navistar did not “buy or assume” it.  Just like my IOTA ATS was recalled but the “ORIGINAL Monaco built MH’s became orphans when they went belly up.  

It has already been suggested that you do some suspension lowering and raising using the airbags to see if your “gee….is this normal” condition changes.  

So, getting hold of a competent frame and suspension shop, like Henderson’s in Oregon would be a good start.  The shop manger has a list or chart of the “ride height” measurements.  Same for Josam’s and Barry is great.  They will text you or give you the front and rear measurements.  Then, you watch a YouTube and do the drill.  Nothing complicated….all you need is a 1” or 3/4” wide tape measure….

If you also do the inspection…and there are YouTube video’s, you can check the trailing arms.  If they are cracked….they need replacement….immediately and Henderson’s is probably the closest place I would trust on your side of the USA.
 

[Les Hurdle]

Hi Tom,  Thanks for the help.  The previous owner had 'Source' trailing arms installed and a local front end shop in Victorville qualified they were good, airbags are go etc........... he wont do much else, but had Monaco so knows where to look.  I believe I finally got the airbag issue sorted, but that sake for few words I will tell you what I did

It was looking like the issue was the voltage even though manufacturers said it didn't matter.  I've moved my rig around my yard a lot these past weeks.......... story far too long to tell........... and I test various things as I bumped the air.  The front was always ok.  The last the rears wouldn't I got a small 12v batt., hooked them up applied the 12v.  whoosh...... down they went so I also figured 12v is it.  Anyway, I kept trying with the set up as it is.  Changed the cables etc just wouldn't work.  So, as you said, I tried to check the voltage at the switch.... ha !!......... I tried to remove the top panel, that was going to break, so I undid the side panel and looked up toward the switch........ the screws holding the panel on were very long.  The seat and steering wheel had been placed in a position where my gut was not to be accommodated.  Also every wire was white, if there were numbers too small for me to read.......... so I left the panel off in disgust, had to move the coach again.......... thought !   Got my wife to press the dump switch while I was at the back to 'see'....... it all worked perfectly and so far is ongoing........ my only non tech thought issue I a screw might be t maybe @! one of the long screw holding the panel in had chewed through a wire a tad and was causing mischief.  The next few weeks will tell a tale.   In the mean time I keep the small 12v in the batt hold along with the harness I made and if else fails I'll use that.

Also, I'm still working 50-60 hours per week and a drive to Oregon would be difficult, is there anyone in California re windshields? 

 

[Tom Cherry]

21 minutes ago, Les Hurdle said:

Hi Tom,  Thanks for the help.  The previous owner had 'Source' trailing arms installed and a local front end shop in Victorville qualified they were good, airbags are go etc........... he wont do much else, but had Monaco so knows where to look.  I believe I finally got the airbag issue sorted, but that sake for few words I will tell you what I did

It was looking like the issue was the voltage even though manufacturers said it didn't matter.  I've moved my rig around my yard a lot these past weeks.......... story far too long to tell........... and I test various things as I bumped the air.  The front was always ok.  The last the rears wouldn't I got a small 12v batt., hooked them up applied the 12v.  whoosh...... down they went so I also figured 12v is it.  Anyway, I kept trying with the set up as it is.  Changed the cables etc just wouldn't work.  So, as you said, I tried to check the voltage at the switch.... ha !!......... I tried to remove the top panel, that was going to break, so I undid the side panel and looked up toward the switch........ the screws holding the panel on were very long.  The seat and steering wheel had been placed in a position where my gut was not to be accommodated.  Also every wire was white, if there were numbers too small for me to read.......... so I left the panel off in disgust, had to move the coach again.......... thought !   Got my wife to press the dump switch while I was at the back to 'see'....... it all worked perfectly and so far is ongoing........ my only non tech thought issue I a screw might be t maybe @! one of the long screw holding the panel in had chewed through a wire a tad and was causing mischief.  The next few weeks will tell a tale.   In the mean time I keep the small 12v in the batt hold along with the harness I made and if else fails I'll use that.

Also, I'm still working 50-60 hours per week and a drive to Oregon would be difficult, is there anyone in California re windshields? 

 

Good news on the trailing arms.  But ride height and dumping and releveling is important.  I’d get info and find a suitable road and stops and measure.

All I can add….Glass Solutions will tell you who they use with a city or zip code.  I’d start there.  No offense to Buster, but you need someone who can remove the windshield and inspext and know what to do or who to call to beef up or fix a “foundation” issue.  

I don’t have any resources or info on frame or alignment shops on the west coast.  Maybe someone can chime in.  I would not replace a windshield until i had resolved the other “gee” this used to didn’t be there issues….

Good Luck….

[Dragracer]

While driving over unlevel surfaces like drive approaches in our 2001 Diplomat the front windshields will move up & down from the bottom. The top part of the coach doesn’t move but they are moving with the dash. You can see them sliding up & down when you look up at the tops of them. Hasn’t caused any problems that I’m aware of. Are they supposed to do this?

[Les Hurdle]

Anyone hd any experience with https://www.thepaintdepartment.com. seems they have rebuilt the front caps for Monaco's ?

[Guest Ray Davis]

Here is a short video I found interesting.  People have talked a lot about reinforcing the windshield area but I never knew really what they did.  No doubt it's a big job.

I think it would be hard to find anyone willing to take on the job.  Anyway, here's the video. 

 https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=monaco+windsor+windshield&mid=EA876A6D9E27FC5CFE16EA876A6D9E27FC5CFE16&FORM=VIRE

Bing Videos

[Les Hurdle]

Hi Ray, thank you but I didn't find a video.   Whatever it is I don't think I would spend the money.  My Cheetah is a split windshield.

L

 

[Guest Ray Davis]

10 hours ago, Les Hurdle said:

Hi Ray, thank you but I didn't find a video.   Whatever it is I don't think I would spend the money.  My Cheetah is a split windshield.

L

 

Humm,  clicking on either link works for me,  I don't know what else to do, except try again.

[Les Hurdle]

Thanks.

I have to try and find a Monaco glass fitter locally, seems there might be one in Chino..... such a hassle ;-))

[Les Hurdle]

Hi Folks,

Allegedlety there is a 'glassman' in Victorville California.  M&M........ I leave messages with his staff, no reply ;))

I think I'll run with the cracked windshield for a while, but the rubber is shot ;-((

I enclose a picture of the 'support' under the hood......only 2 brackets, both as bad..... lousy, thoughts?

 

Les